Liverpool desperate for Dann

Kenny Dalglish could take Liverpool's summer transfer spending to more than £35 million by the end of the week should he lodge bids for both Charlie Adam and Scott Dann.

But the Scot will face competition from Arsenal if he chooses to step up his interest in the Birmingham defender.

Dalglish has already lavished £16 million on Jordan Henderson and is expected to lodge a formal offer of around £9 million with Blackpool for their captain in the next 48 hours. Adam is known to be keen to move to Anfield and formal talks with the Bloomfield Road are expected to start on Thursday.

But the Liverpool manager faces a more complicated task in attempting to recruit the defensive cover he believes his squad requires, with Dalglish weighing up the merits of moving for Dann, a boyhood Liverpool fan, with the risks of missing out on a second defensive target in a week.

Liverpool had hoped to beat both Arsène Wenger and Manchester United to the signature of Phil Jones - although the Anfield club always feared losing out to the champions should they enter the race for the Blackburn player's signature - but, since the completion of his transfer to Old Trafford, both have been forced to examine alternatives.

Top of the list both on Merseyside and at Arsenal is Dann, with Wenger thought to be considering moving for the 24 year-old as well as Blackburn's Congolese international Christopher Samba as he seeks to add height and power to his side.

Despite his childhood allegiance to Anfield, it is believed Dann is tempted by the prospect of Champions League football on offer at the Emirates, while Wenger believes he offers better value for money than Bolton's Gary Cahill and the same technical accomplishment.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are determined to infuse Dalglish's squad with a core of British talent and have identified Dann as a potential complement to Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel.

The club are examining a number of other candidates - including Lyon's Dejan Lovren - but their hand may be forced by Arsenal's interest.

Dalglish is also hopeful of concluding swift deals for Arsenal's Gael Clichy, Aston Villa's Stewart Downing, Roma goalkeeper Doni and Ipswich striker Connor Wickham as he attempts to conduct the majority of his transfer activity before Liverpool return for pre-season training on July 4.

The Anfield club are also expected to sign Sylvain Marveaux, the Rennes winger, on a free transfer.

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina has undergone surgery on a double hernia. The Spanish international is expected to be fit to return for the start of pre-season training.

Source: The Telegraph

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